A new dawn for the business community in Kilinochchi District

Kilinochchi District Enterprises Forum, established in February 2012 is an initiative of the Kilinochchi District Chamber. The Forum was established with the blessings of District Secretary, Kilinochchi and the assistance of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka ; FCCISL- ILO Local Empowerment through Economic Development Project (LEED). Inauguration session was chaired by District Secretary – Kilinochchi R. Ketheeswaran and facilitated by FCCISL Projects and Services Head Membership Krishantha Wiesenthige.

The first meeting of the District Enterprises Forum, Kilinochchi held on 22 May at the Conference Hall in Government Agents Office, Kilinochchi. R. Ketheeswaran, District Secretary, Kilinochchi chaired the meeting and there were about 25 representatives from Government Agents Office, Kilinochchi District Chamber, Kilinochchi Traders Association, Senior Officials of Sri Lanka Army and other partner organisations. The main business issues taken at the district enterprise forum are ownership issue on business premises along the A9 road and insisted all traders to have business registration which gives legality for their business. The forum finally drowns up in a successful manner. Kilinochchi District Chamber anticipates organising the forum continuously with the support of Government Agent of Kilinochchi district and active participation of other partners of district enterprise forum.

One of the constraints that have affected the development of regional private sector is absence of an effective mechanism to have an strong dialogue between the public sector and the private sector which is very important in addressing the policy and regulatory issues at local level. By analysing the impotence and the impact on developing local enterprises, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) initiated the District Enterprises Forum in 18 districts of Sri Lanka, under the leadership of the District Secretary/Government Agent in order to facilitate and promote the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for regional economic development.

The District Enterprises Forum comprises of central and local Government authorities, the district chamber and the business community organisations and INGOs/NGOs. Central Government representation is drawn through District Secretary who is the chairperson of the forum. The chamber is representing the private sector and serving as the secretariat where chamber president is acting as the secretary of the forum.

FCCISL, the initiator of the district enterprise forums, is proud to observe the progress made by district enterprise forum and especially in Kilinochchi. After 30 years of a conflict situation retained in the area this is first ever district enterprise forum that organised in the Kilinochchi district. FCCISL is looking forward to Kilinochchi District Enterprise forum would serve in effective manner to develop business in Kilinochchi district.